Higher Scientist

We are currently looking for a Higher Scientist to join our Control Testing Function within the Science and Research group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Control Testing team delivers the statutory function of independent control testing of biological medicines, including blood products and vaccines, helping to ensure patients have access to new and existing products.

The post is for a laboratory-based scientist who will be part of a team of analytical scientists focused on separation-based methods used for the characterisation of biological medicines as part of the Agency’s independent batch release function. The post holder will evaluate a wide range of vaccines and blood products. They will work under the ISO
17025 quality standard to perform a range of analytical techniques, including but not limited to HPLC based methods; reverse phase, sizing exclusion and ion exchange chromatograph. Other separation-based methods including SDS-PAGE and capillary electrophoresis.

• Perform analytical assays in compliance with ISO
  17025, including assay development, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Coordinate with the scientists within the Control Testing teams to ensure the timetable of analysis and documentation of samples supplied for laboratory testing and data entry into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is achieved.
• Advise and supervise training of team members in specific assays and administration of control testing.
• Engage with stakeholders, as required by the Team Lead, including colleagues across the Agency and other National Control Laboratories, to ensure quality of service and identify improvement and changes in working practices.

Our successful candidate will have:

• Experience of working in a laboratory.
• Experience of one or more of the laboratory methods listed in the job description.
• Excellent team working and communication skills.
• Good planning and time management skills.
• Ability of working accurately and with attention to detail.

• Working Together (A, I)
• Communicating and Influencing (A, I)

• Experience of working accurately and precisely with an attention to detail typically achieved through working within quality management system, ISO
  17025 or similar. With experience of method validation, data management and monitoring, and data checks, entry and review (A, I)
• Experience of using a Laboratory Information Management System, with an understanding of statistical packages to analyse and present data and a good understanding of the use of a LIMS software package for accurate data capture, data analysis and review (A, I)

• Required:
  
  Skilled in the use of one or more of the following analytical techniques: HPLC methods (size exclusion, reverse-phase and ion-exchange chromatography), SDS-PAGE and capillary electrophoresis (A, I)
• A Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience together with experience in HPLC-based analysis of biological samples, including vaccines and blood-derived products (A)

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We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
• Interview, which can include questions based…